Open burning of leaves is permitted Wednesdays & Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. during April & November UNLESS THERE IS A BURNING BAN IN EFFECT. Questions about burning should be directed to the Fire Department.

Yard waste is defined as grass clippings, leaves and non-woody plant matter. Burlington does have a Bagged Leaves collection program, conducted for three weeks in the spring and seven weeks in the fall, during which yard waste, too, will be collected.

Yard waste is also accepted free of charge at Des Moines County Regional Landfill year-round. Material must be loose or in a paper bag. Plastic bags must be emptied by the resident. All loads delivered to the landfill must be secured to prevent litter along the roadway. In most cases, this will require a tarp. Unsecured loads are charged a $10 surcharge. The material is composted and the finished product is available to the public for free. The landfill has a paved drop off site for citizens. The landfill hours of operation are M-F, 8-4 and Sat, 8-noon.

Composting and mulching are other means for dealing with yard waste. Information on backyard composting is available at the Des Moines County Extension Office, the Des Moines County Area Recyclers, Burlington Public Library and on the Internet. A demonstration area is on display at the Area Recyclers, 1818 West Burlington Ave, for public education.

Wood waste like limbs and branches no larger than 8" in diameter, may be disposed of free of charge at the Des Moines County Regional Landfill by Burlington residents who are customers of City trash service. You must show the landfill scale house a current statement from the Burlington Municipal Waterworks with Account Information that shows the line item “TRASH”. Wood waste is otherwise accepted at the landfill for $24 per ton, or approximately a penny per pound. If you don't have a current statement, you may obtain one from the Waterworks Office at 500 North 3rd.

Please don’t confuse the term “wood waste” with demolition material. The term “wood waste” in this application refers to shrubs free of dirt, woody vines, prunings from shrubs and trees, twigs, branches, and limbs no larger than 8" in diameter. Logs, stumps and root balls are considered to be demolition material, as those items are too large for the chipper.

All loads delivered to the landfill must be secured to prevent litter along the road. In most cases, this will require a tarp. Unsecured loads are charged a $10 surcharge. Wood waste must be transported to the landfill separate from all types of waste, including other types of yard waste, so it can be weighed at the scale house.

Because the Emerald Ash Borer has been located in Des Moines County, wood waste mulch is not currently available to the public.

Open burning of leaves is permitted Wednesdays & Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. during April & November UNLESS THERE IS A BURNING BAN IN EFFECT. Questions about burning should be directed to the Fire Department.